Help! I've been Hugged!

Nonversation can be non-verbal.

What I'm getting at, in particular, are the casual hugs that have pervaded our culture.

It used to be that hugs were reserved children, or for fond farewells. There was something meaningful to it. Now there are hugs-hello; hugs-goodbye; hugs-because we don't know what else to say or because everyone else in the room is doing it!

Pet peeve: I've been hugged at networking events by people who have no idea what business I'm in, but 'know' me well enough for an embrace. It is so necessary to feign such sincerity? What's wrong with a handshake?

Worse still, are the people who aren't comfortable making eye contact with you while talking; but they can hug you. True story!

It seems we've got to the point where, in any awkward moment or pause, or when we don't know what to do with our hands; then the most culturally accepted thing to do is hug.

I, a self-confessed 'hugger' (among friends, that is) have had enough.